Don't forget about Medicare!!!! You should sign up for that at 65 even if you delay SS benefits!!!! I messed this up and am paying higher premiums forever as a penalty!!!

Another factor to consider is inflation protection. Social Security benefits get annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), so that higher monthly amount from delaying to 70 will compound over time. If you're in good health and have family longevity, the math usually favors waiting. I delayed from 67 to 70 and my monthly benefit went from about $2,800 to $3,500. Three years later with COLA increases, I'm now getting $3,847/month. The extra $1,000+ monthly really adds up!

Reading through this entire thread as someone who's currently waiting for my first SSDI payment has been incredibly reassuring! I applied three months ago and just received my award letter last week saying my first payment should arrive on March 3rd. After seeing Sayid's experience and everyone's helpful responses, I feel so much better prepared for what might be a few days of waiting rather than panicking if it doesn't show up exactly on the 3rd. The practical advice about checking MySocialSecurity for correct banking info, understanding that the payment date is when SSA releases funds (not when banks process them), and knowing that 1-5 business days delay is normal for first payments is exactly what I needed to hear. It's frustrating that SSA doesn't communicate these potential delays upfront, but having this community share real experiences makes all the difference. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion - you've probably saved a lot of newcomers from unnecessary anxiety! I'll definitely update this thread with my own experience once my payment comes through.

What an amazing thread this has been to read through! As a newcomer to this community who's about to start the Social Security application process, I'm incredibly grateful for all the real-world experiences and practical advice shared here. Seeing how Sayid's initial anxiety turned into relief when his payment arrived, and witnessing this community rally around him with such helpful support, really shows the value of having a place where people can share honest experiences about navigating government benefits. The key takeaways I'm noting are: expect 1-5 business days for first payments, verify banking info early, understand that payment dates mean when SSA releases funds not when banks process them, and don't panic before giving it at least until Friday. It's also eye-opening to learn about potential bank holds on new government deposits - definitely something I'll discuss with my bank ahead of time. This kind of peer support and shared knowledge is invaluable when dealing with systems that can feel overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice - you're making this process so much less daunting for newcomers like me!

I went through this exact same confusion when I first retired! The biggest thing that helped me was realizing that most reputable tax calculators (like the IRS one, TurboTax, etc.) do calculate your TOTAL tax liability when you input all your income sources. Here's what I learned the hard way: if you entered both your Social Security benefits AND your dividend income into the calculator, that $600 is almost certainly your complete federal tax liability for the year. The calculator is doing all the complex math behind the scenes - figuring out what portion of your SS is taxable, adding your dividend income, applying standard deductions, etc. My suggestion would be to run your numbers through 2-3 different calculators (definitely include the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator) and see if they all give you similar results. If they're all in the $600 range, you can feel confident that's your total tax bill. For withholding, the 7% option on Form W-4V should easily cover a $600 annual tax liability depending on your monthly benefit amount. Much better to have a small refund than an unexpected bill!

I'm new to this whole Social Security and tax withholding process, so this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - just started receiving benefits and have some investment income too. One question I have after reading through everyone's advice: when you submit Form W-4V to request withholding, how long does it typically take for SSA to start withholding the taxes from your monthly payments? I want to make sure I get this set up soon enough that it actually helps with this year's taxes rather than starting too late in the year. Also, has anyone had experience with changing the withholding percentage mid-year if your income situation changes? Is that something you can adjust easily? Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here - it's so much clearer now that the calculator results include ALL income sources, not just the SS portion!

make sure u check what happens if u take urs now and then switch to spousal later when he files. my brother in law did that and got more $ overall. its called restricted application i think?

As someone who just went through this decision process myself, I wanted to add that it might be worth running the numbers on your specific situation using SSA's online calculators or meeting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning. While the general advice here is solid (waiting until FRA for spousal benefit typically maximizes income), your actual earnings history and life expectancy assumptions can make a difference in the math. Also, don't forget to factor in healthcare costs - if you're not yet eligible for Medicare and relying on employer insurance through your husband's job, that timing might influence your decision too.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really struck by how supportive everyone has been with such detailed, practical advice! Carmen, your situation highlights one of Social Security's most impactful but lesser-known rules. From what you've shared about your late husband's 30-year construction management career compared to your part-time work history and your boyfriend's SSDI, the financial difference could indeed be substantial. What really stands out to me is how many people have shared the commitment ceremony idea - it seems like such an elegant solution that lets you have your celebration now while preserving potentially six figures in lifetime benefits. The fact that multiple people have shared real success stories (like the mother-in-law who saved $800/month by waiting) really reinforces that this strategy works in practice, not just on paper. I'd echo the advice about getting those SSA benefit estimates as soon as possible. Having concrete numbers will make this decision much clearer for both you and your boyfriend. The Claimyr service someone mentioned sounds like it could save you a lot of frustration trying to reach SSA directly. You're being so smart to research this thoroughly before making such a major decision. Best of luck - I have a feeling you'll find a solution that works for both your heart and your wallet!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly impressed by the depth of knowledge and genuine care everyone has shown in helping Carmen navigate this complex situation! Reading through all these responses has been such an education on Social Security survivor benefits - I had no idea how critical the age 60 remarriage rule was. Carmen, from everything shared here, it really seems like the stars are aligning to suggest waiting until 60 would be the financially wise choice. Your late husband's 30-year construction management career versus your boyfriend's SSDI situation likely means a substantial monthly difference that could add up to hundreds of thousands over your lifetime. The commitment ceremony idea that multiple people have suggested is absolutely brilliant - you get to celebrate your love and commitment now while protecting your financial future. It's the best of both worlds! And hearing real success stories like the mother-in-law who saved $800/month by waiting really drives home that this strategy works in practice. I'd definitely encourage getting those SSA benefit estimates as soon as possible (the Claimyr service sounds promising for actually getting through to them). Once you have concrete numbers, this decision will probably feel much clearer for both you and your understanding boyfriend. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this important decision! This community is clearly here to support you whatever you choose.